The region is home to a number of fast-growing economies, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Many of these countries are also major exporters of commodities, like palm oil and rice, and processed seafood and other value-added products.

Recent and/or ongoing projects include:

• Analyzing the seafood processing industries of Thailand and Vietnam;
• Assessing  the impact of the Japan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement on the Malaysian palm oil and timber sectors;
• Analyzing the agricultural policies of India and Indonesia.